The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1887-02-26


ions OF Palestine Chapter Of this city.
Il was stated that the chapter, since
May IS, had advanced and exalted to
the suggest aud sbline degree OF Royal
Arch Mason, as we'll as to the inter-
mediate degrees, two members of Pru-
Deuce Lodge, Of this city, who are and
have been for many years OF nOtor~
iously bad character and evil repute in
the community. The complaint says
that one of the parties was commonly
reported to be q murderer and q gam~
bier, that he had for long time been
under police surveillance, aud was des
clared by the authorities to be a person
Of infamous repute; that the other
party was for several years past under
police surveillance, and bat recently
was arrested for conducting a disreputa-
mon resort of the most Infamous char
acters Of both sexes. The common
belief is that the persons referred to
are none other than Jere Dunn, who
shot and killed prize fighter and ex-
convict 'sJimmie' Elliott, IN Chicago,
and "Tom" Gould, keeper Of a low
resort In an up town precinct. The
precious pair were initiated, passed
and raised In Prudence Lodge between
February &c aud May %, 1856.
These facts were brought 10 the at
tention of the Grand Master Frank F..
Lawrence, of the Grand Lodge of the
State. He caused an inquiry to be
made in relation 10 them by appoints
ing commission, of which howard
Whitney, Master of Golden Rule Lodge
No. ITO, was chairman. This COM
mission reported that all the allegations
were sustained, and on receipt of this
finding Grand Master Lawrence sus-
pended tho warrant of Prudence Lodge
and took the same into his possession,
where it pow remains pending the
trial of the charges against the lodge.
The deputy of the Grand High Priest
made an investigation under instruct
ions. he examined the records of
Palestine Chapter, and found that a
regular convocati0n was held in MAJ
sonic Temple in this city In June last.
Among those present were High Priest
John HI. Conway, King Louis Ingwer-
sen. Scribe William MCLEAN, and a
number Of companions. On this &C.
casion petitions for advancement aud
exaltation were received from two
brothers Of Prudence Lodge. They
were referred to a committee, favor q.
BILE report was made and accepted, and
the petitioners were declared elected.
At the same convocation they were
introduced and received the degree of
Mark Master, Past Master, M. e. Mas
ter, and the sublime degree of Royal
Arch. The rules prescribe that an APP,
plicant's petition must be under con-
sideration at least two weeks before
action is taken. but here was clear
case of railroadin, So called. The de-
putty learned from the police that the
petitioners were men of bad rspute,
their names frequently appearing in
public prints rs dangerous men, aud
this Information was confirmed by
many citizens,
On receipt of this report Grand
High Priest Huntington, acting under
Article So OF the constitution, declared
the warrant Of Palestine Chapter sus-
pended and also suspended ali MEM
bers from further exercising Masonic
functions. The deputy, pursuant to
directions, took possession of the war;
rant and book Of records and directed
the petition delivered TO the Grand
Chapter at its next annual convocatiou.
In his report of the case the Gland
High Priest takes occasion to adminis-
ter singing rebuke. He says:
"Whiie regret that the council and
companions of this chapter shonld, in
the face of the reports so currently
circulated regarding these petitioners,
have railroaded them through at light
ming speed, and humiliatiDg to us as
their admission TO the chapter was, 1t is
high time that the Waterman at our
gates should be warned of the approach
Of an enemy more terrible than 40
army with banners. The vices as
practiced by these men are destructive
of integrity, honor, morality and true
manhood. They fasten themselves
upon the victims like boa constructor,
and never loosen their hold until the
last drop of honor, truth and virtue is
extracted from them, even to the mara
row, leaving them outcasts forever.
The only facilities possessed by such
creatures are those of deception, fraud
and wiltful falsehood, aud otttimes to
cover their crimes they take the life of
their victim. To mako Masons of such
men must prove disastrous aud des-
tructive to the welfare of and usefulness
OF our time.honored institution aud is
practice that should be- guarded
against with Jealous care. When
material for our temple becomes 80
scarce as TO necessitate us to receive
such as was taken by the chapter in